San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-05

(they instantly drOOpedD, and smiled.
"If good drenching would hurt me" he
said, 81 shouldn't be here TO take care of
you; and as for the other don't you sup
pose it's great pleasure TO me TO be able
to help your"
"You are very good To find II pleasure"
"Am II Keep the cloak well round you,
and hide your eyes from the lightning.
Are you frightened"
mo, not bit now"
But you were frightened, poor childp
Yes, was frightened" said Valerie,
drawing quick breath; lit is so awesOme
TO be alone in n Thunderstorm"
The soldier shuddered, and instinctively
frightened his clasp of the fragile form at
the thought Of what might have happened
TO this delicate young creature, left to
struggle alone through the pitiless storm.
81 might never have reached bennington
but for you" said the girl, gratefully, feel
ing the shudder, the closer clasp, and di
Sining the mans thought.
Don't talk of it," he said, hastily, a lit
tie huskily. A minute later: 1--WE are not
far now, thank Heaven! for your sake"
"And yours, too, said Valerie, in perfect
good faith.
His! As If he would not rather the two
miles had been ten, to ride on with this
winsome fairy in his arms, clinging to him,
the golden head resting against him. the
exquisite face close to his own! He would
be less than man, and certainly less than
soldier, who felt otherwise. No: for the
sake-Of hers only, he was glad they were
nearing the town; for himself, lie grudged
every ward of ground
do you live In DOnningtOn," he asked.
not answering the girls last remark
mo, live at Welford-nearly four miles
behind us. was walking to bennington
when the storm came on"
"Where, then, shall / set you down,
Don't start" he added, laughing, I'VE will
dismount before we actually enter the
town"
Valerie laughed, too
"Oh, of course" she said, but II have
no friends in bennington. must take
shelter in a shop until the storm is over"
What wet as you Hrc' Impossible! l
will take you to our Generals wife, Mrs.
Fanshawe, she will be in her element, tax
ing care of storm-drcnched young lady"
"Oh, please no-you must not, tndeed!"
cried Valerie. 81 am quite stranger to
her. Oh, you must not.'
But must" said he smiling at her
distress, which was Infinitely witchiag.
do you imagine | could put you inside
some shop and leave you there all drcnched
for cold and fever to soak into your Come
worse to worse, the wife of one of my men
should look after You; but shall take you
TO Mrs. FanSli I'VE. She il friend of mine.
am afraid ii ere is nothing for you but
the soldiers virtue of obedience"
81 ought to have it by inheritance" said
Valerie, smiling.
"How? Are you soldiers daughter"
asked the other, with an eagerness that
the girl might have felt as flattering had
she been more of cOquette.
Eyes" she said. proudly, cOloring little.
81 am Major Herbert's daughter"
Herbert! Edmund Hcrbert:'
The girls eyes flashed.
Eyes; did you know him." she asked,
quickly.
Not personally: but every soldier kno"s
his name, and honOrs it," What look
the words won him from those beautiful
gray eyes! it made his heart beat faster
"Why," he said, chow cou)l you BE- SC
have a claim on heron any soldier OF
soldiers Wife
would she feel like that" asked Va
lerie, wistfully.
"Ay, she does feel So"
As he spoke he drew rein.
1--WE are almost in the town, now" he
said. THE Generals house is not far from
here"
He lifted Valerie to the ground, and Their
dismounted, slipped his horses bride ovel
his arm, and they walked on briskly into
the now deserted High Street
my people will be so anxious" said Va
lerie, "but it cannot be helped"
81 will send an orderly over with a mes
sage, If you will give me your address"
"In this storm? Oh! no-no."
He laughed.
Soldiers are not made of plaster, yOI
know" he said, quizzically.
Eyes, do know, but anyhow will wal
little; the storm may give over, and theI
can return home myself"
II will drive you home when you are abl
to go, if you will let me-"
81 could not he so encrOaching DON
ask me that, please"
'Encroaching!" repeated the other, bit
| ing his lip under his mOustache. What al
| innocent specimen of humanity this cir
| was! IF there is any encroachment, it il
| on my side, for asking the favor"
A slight wave of color crossed the girl
| cheek. 1t just dawned upon her that Their
was-frOm his point of view-nO polite fiC
ton involved in her companions las
words; but that was all the more reasol
| for yielding the point
| You have been too kind already" sh
said, simply; "but | suppose you mus
have your way; and thank you very, yer
| much"
Thank you, Miss Herbert. Here W
are"
| He turned up a street of private houses
and paused before the door of large red
brick house at the corner.
| Valerie glanced up nervously at the al
ray of windows as her cavalier rang tn
bell sounding n peal that must have re
sounded from cellar to garnet.
There were quick steps within, and tn
| door was opened by a man-servant, VIII
started an! stared in wOnderment.
Captain Beauregardr' he exclaimed.
| The captain drew Valerie into the hall
| Run for Mrs. Fanshawe, Robert ~
said. This young lady must be scenic !
once. am in no plight for a drawilss
room Are you chilled?" he added, benz
ing down to Valerie as the servant vanisl
ed; her checks were glowing, her eye
shining.
NO" she said, mot in the least"
That's right. All! here she comesw
Valerie shrank back a little, as a stOu
elderly lady, with a most pleasant face
full of concern, appeared, quickly descenC
ing the broad stairs; but Captain Beaur,
gard exclaimed, laughing: